November 1, 2009
Why I Write Books
Arron Chambers reflects on how he became an author and why he writes books: to minister through words that are powerful, personal, and enduring.
Articles for tag: Freedom
October 25, 2009
Frankly Speaking
Student Christian Fellowship at Ohio State University serves free frankfurters on High Street, using simple acts of service to build trust and open conversations about Christ.
September 6, 2009
Waiting to Go to Heaven
Ethan Magness reflects on how Bible study transformed his view of Heaven from vague boredom into a hopeful vision of restored earth, meaningful work, and life fully with God.
August 23, 2009
To the Best of My Ability
Glen Elliott contrasts religious performance with grace-filled discipleship, showing how guidance, freedom, and relationship help people follow Jesus well without turning faith into another grading chart.
July 26, 2009
A Place of Quiet Rest
By Kelly Kastens In the fall of 2004 we moved into a long-awaited, brand-new worship center. It was an awesome time in the life of our church. And, for a while, it was an awesome time in my life. As worship programming director, I was insanely busy, but it was fun and it felt like we were doing something that mattered. God was showing up every week and new people were showing up every week and life change was happening. While all these good things were going on, I was getting busier and busier. There was always more to do,
How to Listen to a Sermon
By Brian Mavis SHARE THIS ARTICLE WITH EVERYONE IN YOUR CHURCH. (DETAILS BELOW.) Â Â Â One hundred times more people will hear a sermon this week than preach one. So why are there thousands of articles, books, and classes on how to preach a message, but virtually none on how to listen to one? It”s because most people think listening just comes naturally. But that”s not what Jesus thought. Jesus said to “consider carefully how you listen” (Luke 8:18). The state and fate of your life depends on how you listen. Teachers are responsible for teaching well, but you
June 21, 2009
Finding Your Focus
Glen Elliott reflects on how churches can discover clarity, simplicity, and freedom by saying “no” to good programs so they can say “yes” to their God-given mission.
June 14, 2009
FROM MY BOOKSHELF: Learning to Communicate, Examining History
LeRoy Lawson reviews two books that challenge assumptions: Temple Grandin’s insights on autism and animal behavior, and Garry Wills’s history of Christianity in America.
A Christian Civics Lesson
 By Rod Roberts On January 9, 2007, the newly elected speaker of the Iowa House gaveled the 82nd General Assembly into session. True to the traditions of the Iowa House, the speaker invited a special guest pastor to bring the invocation that morning. To the surprise of many, the guest invited to pray for the General Assembly was a Des Moines-area Muslim imam. The gesture was, in part, recognition of the election of Iowa”s first Muslim state legislator, who was from Des Moines. In fact, the state Capitol in Des Moines is located in this legislator”s district. The imam
November 2, 2008
Beyond Tweaking the Code
Jason Rodenbeck challenges Christians to stop trying to tweak worldly systems and instead embody Jesus’ cross-shaped way through mercy, sacrifice, compassion, and faithful witness.
October 26, 2008
Sin Among the Shepherds
An anonymous church leader reflects on moral failure, full ownership, grace and truth, accountability, and how wise shepherds can help bring healing without compromising holiness.
August 31, 2008
Everyone Connected: Relational Strategies to Get Your Whole Church Involved
Michael C. Mack offers seven relational strategies for helping people connect in small groups, urging church leaders to equip God’s people and restore a New Testament understanding of church.
The Biblical Basis for Externally Focused Ministry
By Eric Swanson If you look long enough, you can find a “biblical basis” for almost anything. That”s what my friends and I discovered years ago when I was in college. We entertained ourselves by finding obscure passages to justify a wide and wild set of behaviors. (All of these are from the New American Standard Bible, my version of choice back then): “¢ Not wearing sweatshirts: “They shall not gird themselves with anything which makes them sweat” (Ezekiel 44:18). “¢ Sleeping in church: “I heard the sound of his words; and as soon as I heard the sound of
April 27, 2008
Engaging the University
Buzz Roberts urges churches to engage college students with authentic friendship, spiritual courage, and a willingness to meet them on campus with the hope of Christ.
March 9, 2008
Confidentiality: Always Helpful or Not?
By Tim Woodroof and Leland Vickers You are serving as an elder (or minister, volunteer leader, Bible class teacher, or pastor) for your local congregation and you are approached on Sunday by a longtime member””let”s call her Susan””who says she would like to talk with you about a “personal problem.” You agree to meet her for coffee, but Susan prefaces her discussion with a request, “This must stay only between the two of us. Can we agree that our discussion be completely confidential?” What is your response? The current church culture leads people to assume they have the right to
January 2, 2008
Interview with Lynn Anderson
Lynn Anderson discusses the calling of elders as shepherds who build trust and care for a flock. He addresses policy, authority, qualifications, women and age, and practical ways elders and staff can lead together.
October 28, 2007
How Should We Celebrate?
Bob Russell urges believers to celebrate what God has done without idolizing old methods or dismissing the past. The church’s power, he says, is found in Christ, the cross, and bold preaching of God’s Word.
Transitions: Lesson I’ve Learned This Past Year
After succeeding Bob Russell at Southeast Christian Church, Dave Stone shares lessons from a senior pastor transition—humility, criticism, family priorities, and learning to depend on Christ under daily leadership pressure.
June 20, 2007
Interview with Eleanor Daniel
Eleanor Daniel reflects on Christian education as disciple-making, the need to equip lay teachers, the strengths and limits of small groups, lessons from global believers’ prayer, and the ongoing debate over women in leadership.
Are You Physically at Your Peak?
After a painful ministry season, Stephen Bond reflects on how neglecting health diminished his clarity and stamina. He argues fitness is spiritual stewardship and offers three practical guidelines for lasting discipline.
